Parish Ministries

Parish Visitation Program This program serves the homebound of our Parish. A visiting Minister is a person, couple, or family that will call or visit with a homebound parishioner and administer Holy Communion. There is a special training session designed for this type of ministry and refresher workshops will be held once or twice a year. The Visiting Minister is only expected to visit with one individual, but may visit more. Contact the Parish Office for more information.

Women’s Ministry Women’s Ministry was formed to build and strengthen relationships, especially with our Lord and one another. This Ministry is directed by an Advisory Team of 8 to 10 women who meet once a month. You are welcome to come to any of these meetings to pray with us, set direction for the Ministry, and help plan activities.

Throughout the year, Women’s Ministry sponsors activities of various types: A major retreat in the fall, reflections (gatherings) based on various themes, the beautiful Advent by Candlelight Event, Bible studies, prayer activities, etc. We have a quilting group that works on lap quilts for the sick of our parish. To become involved in any part of this ministry, call Chris McNeil at (269) 429-6524.

Men’s Study Group A group of men meet Saturday morning’s at St. Bernard’s Church. This study group was formed to support and strengthen each other in their personal spiritual lives and in their role as Christian husbands, fathers, and men. Various study materials are used. For more information, contact Ed Nickel at (269) 925-2731 or Doug Stutz at (269) 927-5054.

Knights of Columbus Immaculate Heart of Mary Council # 1120

The Knights of Columbus is a men’s organization that raises funds by doing pancake breakfasts, fish fries during Lent, spaghetti dinners, etc. They also assist their local Parishes with events. The Knights of Columbus have a meeting room in the Parish Center at St. Bernard’s. To learn more about the Knights of Columbus contact Joe Campbell at (269) 429-5883 or Bill Grover at (269) 876-2559.

Knights of Columbus Legacy Award Application Form can be found if you CLICK HERE.

Special Collections Paul Bradley put into effect in April of 2010. Parishioners are asked to make a pledge and the monies go for many causes throughout the diocese. A considerable amount goes to our own Catholic Community Center to help local people with food, utilities, etc. Any amount which is given over our Parish goal is then returned to the parish. You can get details online by Clicking Here.

Through out the year we will now have six “Second” collections and you will receive envelopes in your monthly packet for these as they come up. They are:

Catholic Relief Services on the 4th Sunday of Lent Holy Land on Good Friday Peter’s Pence on the Sunday nearest June 29th World Mission Sunday that will be next to the last Sunday in October Home Heating Assistance which is the Sunday before Thanksgiving Retirement Fund for Religious which is the 2nd Sunday in December

Funeral Luncheon Dish Preparers After a funeral luncheon date is scheduled, members of this ministry are called to provide a food dish of their choice from the following categories: salads, vegetables, potatoes, or desserts. The time and location of the meal will be provided to them 2 to 3 days prior to the funeral luncheon. Please call the Parish office at (269) 925-2425 to join this most fulfilling and truly appreciated ministry.

Funeral Luncheon Servers The Funeral Luncheon servers will assist in receiving food from dish preparers, setting out dishes, assisting where they can during the luncheon, and cleaning up after the luncheon is done. Servers will receive a 2 to 3 day notice before the luncheon is needed. This is a ministry that truly helps the friends and family of the deceased at a most difficult time.

Grounds Ministry We welcome parishioners that like to mow or work in flower beds doing the weeding or watering. You can sign up to work at which ever job you enjoy doing and at either church. Watch your bulletin for more information. Please call the rectory if interested.

Library & Book Sales At St. Bernard’s there is a library in the Delaware vestibule. For information on checking out a book or donating a book call Char Holton at (269) 277-2517 or Peg Pinkowski at (269) 422-2490. There is also a book rack at St. Bernard’s that has books for sale.

Scripture Study in the Catholic Tradition Why is Scripture study being considered a ministry? Don’t you just go and read the Bible and talk about it? EXACTLY! Every Bible study needs a leader, but during the Bible study, everyone is ministering to everyone else. Hearing from another about how a certain passage has affected them can be powerful. Sharing one’s experiences and knowledge with others is certainly ministering. Bible study allows one to minister while learning more about the Word of God.

To learn more about regular opportunities for Bible study, contact the Religious Education Office at (269) 983-1573 ext. 10. Also, keep an eye on the bulletin for opportunities to participate in specific Bible studies throughout the year.